Molecular orientation dependent photoconductivity of liquid crystalline oligosilanes

Polysilanes are known to be promising hole transport materials among conducting polymers. Their structure can be better controlled by using single dispersed oligomers. Recently an oligosilane (Me(SiMe2)10Me) is found to show a mesophase (SB). In the mesophase, we have observed unusual negative temperature dependence of photocurrent. This can be explained by temperature dependent molecular orientation, which has been confirmed by polarized UV absorption spectroscopy.